Range finding

FWIW, this works for an M1A. If you have a National Match front sight and a known 20" wide target is wider than the front sight it is less than 250 meters away. If you have a standard sight and a 20" wide target is wider than the front sight it is less than 200 meters away.
 
I use a Mil-Dotted Leupold. I practice ranging with the Mil-Dot and then verifing/checking the range with one of those manual range finders.

So far so good.


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Schmit
GySgt, USMC(Ret)
NRA Life, Lodge 1201-UOSSS
"Si vis Pacem Para Bellum"
 
Out hunting, if I can make out detail pretty good without needing binoculars, Bambi is within "point blank" range. For my '06, that's around 300 yards. If I need binoculars to figure out if he's worthwhile, I gotta start guesstimating. I use imaginary football fields--and a lot of years of judging.

Otherwise, gimme the laser. :)

FWIW, in canyon country, most folks underestimate the distance. In flat land, they tend to overestimate.

Art
 
It is difficult to remember the conversion for the mil dot system. What is one millandrinth at 5 power @100 yards, 250 yards, 463 etc. than what is it in 10 power at different distances, how about 15 power and so on. In the use of the Mil Dot do you do all you calculations on 10x?
 
With the exception of European scopes the mil dots are configured to work at a particular power setting, usually the max for the scope. I use a Mil-Dot scope with the Mil-Dot Master.
 
Yardage pro 600. Works great out to about 400, then it has to big and reflective beyond that. I recommend the 800 or 1000 yard for this reason, but I still like it.
 
If you have a variable power scope you can simply learn to bracket an object between the horizontal reticle and the thick part of the upper or lower verticle reticle (where the fine crosshairs begin off the thick post).

Easier to show than describe. Basically, a deers chest is about 18" top to bottom just behind the foreleg.
Most 3x9 scopes will bracket 18" at 300 yards when set at 6 power (experiment with your own before trying this). So, when you see a distant deer, set your scope at 6 (or whatever works on your scope) and if he is smaller than the bracket he is further than 300 yards and you need to get closer. If he's larger than the bracket, just shoot him - no holdover, no worries.

After all, you don't really care how far away he is except that you want him within range. You shouldn't shoot at big game beyond 300 yards anyway because wind drift will play havoc with your shot no matter how well you've calculated bullet drop.

This works very, very well and you can range an animal within seconds. If I recall correctly, an elk is 24" and a moose is 30" behind the foreleg - test your power settings and adjust accordingly.


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Keith
The Bears and Bear Maulings Page: members.xoom.com/keithrogan
 
I've got a Mil-dot Leupold on my long range rig, but I must admit I haven't quite mastered it's use yet and rely on a laser.
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Mic:
It is difficult to remember the conversion for the mil dot system. What is one millandrinth <snip>[/quote]

As TAZ stated most variable scopes that have Mil-Dots are set so that the Mil-Dots are regulated to subtend 1 mil at a specific power setting. That power setting should be specified in your scopes manual. The only exception that I know of is the Springfield, however, other may be putting the Mil-Dots on the correct focal plane for a varible. To check look at the Mil-Dots and change the power setting... if the Dots remain the same size in the scope they are on the "wrong" plane and must be used at a specific power setting. If the Dot's change size then you can use them at any power setting.

The formula to use to range with a Mil-Dot is as follows...

Size of Object in Yards x 1000 / Number of Mils = yards.


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Schmit
GySgt, USMC(Ret)
NRA Life, Lodge 1201-UOSSS
"Si vis Pacem Para Bellum"

> Life is sexually transmitted and Health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die. <

[This message has been edited by Schmit (edited October 25, 2000).]
 
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